Decentralization, citizen participation and governance in Juba county central equatorial state South Sudan
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Date
2012-10
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
This study was conducted under the title “Decentralization, Citizen Participation and Governance in Juba County, Central Equatorial State, South Sudan”. It examined the extent of decentralization in governance, investigated the level of citizen participation, and determined whether there was a significant relationship between the extent of decentralization and the level of citizen participation. A descriptive correlation design was employed, and 397 respondents were contacted using the systematic random sampling technique. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Accordingly, the study found that the extent of decentralization was still low. Despite the existence of a constitutional framework governing the devolution of powers, there is a serious lack of political will in the policy’s implementation. To date, Political, administrative and financial powers have not yet been effectively devolved to the local levels. Persistent interference from higher level authorities is very common, and local political leaders are still appointees of the state and central governments rather than of the local people. A tendency of preference towards former war veterans, ethnic and tribal affiliations, as well as corruption and low levels of education, among others, are some of the main deterrents to a truly decentralized South Sudan. The level of citizen participation in governance is equally low. Most ordinary people are detached from the administration of their local affairs. The process of local policy making does not involve adequate contribution from the local masses. Women and the youth are
particularly marginalized. It is urgently recommended that a culture of respect for the constitutional provisions, especially those relating to decentralization, be established and nurtured. The political leaders of local governments must come to power through the conduct of free, fair, regular and competitive elections. Serious
sensitization of the masses is necessary to institute willingness for participation in the governance of local affairs. Ordinary citizens are therefore advised to shape the general direction of local government action in line with their interests and aspirations. Until these recommendations are implemented, the extent of decentralization and the level of citizen participation in governance would continue to be low. Consequently, the quest for good governance, which initially led to the promulgation of the decentralization policy, would continue to be a difficult for the people of Juba County in particular, of Central Equatorial State, as indeed of South
Sudan as a whole.
Description
A thesis presented to the college of higher degrees and research Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management
Keywords
Decentralization, Citizen participation, governance, Juba county